The Chicago French Market kicked off its one year anniversary celebration in a Chicagoan French style; with a cream puff creation of the Arc de Triomphe on a rainbow boulevard of macarons. The Chicago French Market is sharing the celebration all weekend long with two days filled with giveaways, specials and a visit from Pere Noel himself. more ›

Despite $25 million (including $8 million in tax increment financing) and the enthusiastic support of Mayor Daley, the Chicago French Market at the Ogilvie Transportation Center is underperforming, according to Crain's. more ›

The Metra French Market announced the addition of four more vendors. Green City Market shoppers are already familiar with Zullo's. Their new shop will sell traditional pizzas, assorted pastas, panini, pastries, sandwiches, soups and other Italian specialties that change daily. Another farmers market staple, Olives4You, will specialize in marinated and stuffed olives, tapenades, assorted pita breads, vinegars, olive oils and eventually homemade hummus and fresh, ready-to-eat specialties. more ›

Last Saturday we visited the newly opened and packed-to-the-gills downtown French Market at 131 N. Canal. Here are some photos from our trip and apologies for the quality of some, as we used our iPhone. more ›

The long-awaited French market planned for the Metra station at 131 N. Clinton now has an opening date: December 3. If you've been like an ostrich and had your head in the sand, please catch up by reading our previous coverage of the MetraMarket: more ›

In anticipation to its proposed mid-November opening, the Metramarket at 131 N. Clinton announced an additional 16 vendors to the 20 already onboard today. We've included the full list after the jump. [Inbox] more ›

The MetraMarket, which broke ground last year, is finally taking shape in the 100,000 sq. ft. space on the street level of the Ogilvie Transportation Center (bordered by Lake, Canal, Washington and Clinton streets). The developer recently announced at least half of the tenants who will occupy the Chicago French Market, a part of the MetraMarket retail development that promises to be reminiscent of European open-air markets. Among the tenants signed on for the French Market's late October opening are local favorites Pastoral, Flip Crepes, and Vanille Pastisserie, as well as Chicago Organics who will offer an array of locally grown and certified organic produce, meats, and dairy. Other purveyors on the list are Albano's Deli, Canady Le Choclatier, Completely Nuts, Espression by Lavazza, Fraternite Notre Dame, Sweet Miss Giving's, and Wisconsin Cheese Mart. more ›

This weekend we mentioned the MetraMarket and the fact it's finally getting built. Today we attended the "groundbreaking" ceremony for the Market, held at the future site of the French Market portion of the project. The 15,000 square foot market will be the first year-round market in the Chicago area and will feature plenty of butcher, produce, and fish stands, just to name a few. The entire project will include 48,000 square feet of restaurant space and 52,000 square feet of retail space. Of course, how does one hold a "groundbreaking" in a concourse with a solid concrete floor? By pulling windows out, of course! With Alderman Brendan Reilly, Chicago Deputy Commissioner Michael Jasso, and Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano in attendance, a group of people marked the occasion by pulling two window frames out of the wall in dramatic fashion, video of which is after the jump. more ›

Good news for commuters. Finally. After 7 years of “now leasing” signs in Metra’s Ogilvie Transportation Center, the concourse under the tracks will begin to see construction on a “European-style” market. more ›